Deck 2: Section 2: Neuroscience and Behavior

Question 1

The branch of psychology that is focused on understanding the internal physical events and processes that correspond with our mental processes and behavior is called _____.

A)biological psychology
B)histological psychology
C)mycological psychology
D)forensic psychology

Answer 1

biological psychology

Question 2

Which of the following is TRUE of glial cells?

A)They assist neurons by providing structural support and by removing waste products.
B)They are neurons that specifically signal muscles to relax or contract.
C)They are neurons that are specialized for conveying information to the brain from receptor cells in the sense organs and internal organs.
D)They are a type of neuron whose primary function is to communicate information from one neuron to the next.

Answer 2

They assist neurons by providing structural support and by removing waste products.

Question 3

Neurons are:

A)found in primates and humans, but not in other animals.
B)cells that are highly specialized to receive and transmit information from one part of the body to another.
C)found only in the spinal cord and bone marrow.
D)highly specialized cells that produce myelin.

Answer 3

cells that are highly specialized to receive and transmit information from one part of the body to another.

Question 4

Along with neurons, the human nervous system is made up of _____ cells which greatly outnumber neurons by about 10 to 1.

A)glial
B)Ranvier
C)dendritic
D)polarized

Question 5

The branch of science that is concerned with the study of the nervous system, especially the brain, is called:

A)nescience.
B)neuroscience.
C)myology.
D)histology.

Question 6

_____ provide connections between neurons and blood vessels.

A)Microglia
B)Astrocytes
C)Oligodendrocytes
D)Schwann cells

Question 7

_____ convey information about the environment from the sense organs to the brain, and _____ communicate information to the muscles and glands.

A)Sensory neurons; glial cells
B)Excitatory neurons; inhibitory neurons
C)Sensory neurons; motor neurons
D)Motor neurons; sensory neurons

Question 8

There are roughly _____ neurons in the human brain.

A)500,000
B)500 million
C)1 billion
D)100 billion

Question 9

_____ are involved in brain development and the communication of information among neurons.

A)Microglia
B)Astrocytes
C)Oligodendrocytes
D)Schwann cells

Question 10

The type of specialized cell whose main function is to communicate information between neurons is a(n):

A)interneuron.
B)glial cell.
C)motor neuron.
D)sensory neuron.

Question 11

Which of the following signal muscles to relax or contract?

A)sensory neurons
B)glial cells
C)motor neurons
D)epithelial cells

Question 12

A neuroscientist would be MOST likely to study which of the following topics?

A)how conflict affects marital happiness
B)which psychological test would best predict job success
C)the age at which children start losing their baby teeth
D)brain development during adolescence

Question 13

_____ remove waste products from the nervous system, including dead and damaged neurons.

A)Microglia
B)Astrocytes
C)Oligodendrocytes
D)Schwann cells

Question 14

Which of the following statements about glial cells is FALSE?

A)Glial cells glue neurons together.
B)There are several different kinds of glial cells, each with its own specialized function.
C)Glial cells outnumber neurons by about 10 to 1.
D)Glial cells provide structural support for neurons throughout the nervous system.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the properties of neurons is TRUE?

A)All neurons are the same size and shape.
B)The size and shape of neurons vary a great deal, reflecting their specialized function.
C)Sensory and motor neurons are the same size and shape, and interneurons are long and thin.
D)Motor neurons outnumber interneurons by almost 10 to 1.

Question 16

The three basic types of neurons are:

A)glial cells, nodes of Ranvier, and myelin.
B)dendritic neurons, axonal neurons, and body neurons.
C)excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and interneurons.
D)sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.

Question 17

Most of the neurons in the human nervous system are:

A)interneurons.
B)motor neurons.
C)sensory neurons.
D)glial cells.

Question 18

_____ provide connections between neurons and blood vessels and are involved in brain development and the communication of information among neurons.

A)Microglia
B)Astrocytes
C)Oligodendrocytes
D)Schwann cells

Question 19

Psychologists are greatly interested in the biological basis of behavior. Which of the following questions reflects this interest?

A)Why do people choose specific careers?
B)Why do you get hungry?
C)Why do some people use social media, while others dislike it?
D)Why do people from different cultures have different values?

Question 20

Information from specialized cells in the sense organs is conveyed to the brain by:

A)sensory neurons.
B)epithelial cells.
C)motor neurons.
D)hormones.

Question 21

The part of the neuron that carries messages to other cells in the body is the:

A)dendrite.
B)axon.
C)nucleus.
D)reticular formation.

Question 22

Neurons have all of the following parts, EXCEPT:

A)association areas.
B)a cell body and nucleus.
C)dendrites.
D)an axon.

Question 23

Which of the following is TRUE about axons?

A)Neurons that have a myelin sheath do not have an axon.
B)Axons often have branches near their tips called axon terminals.
C)Axon terminals receive information from other neurons and from sensory receptor cells.
D)Unmyelinated axons fire 20 times faster than do axons with myelin sheaths.

Question 24

The nodes of Ranvier are:

A)a type of neuron that communicates information from one neuron to another.
B)the synaptic vesicles that contain neurotransmitters.
C)the ion channels in the membrane of a neuron's axon that open and close during an action potential.
D)small gaps in the myelin sheaths that cover some axons.

Question 25

Which part of the neuron receives messages from other neurons?

A)the axon
B)the microglia
C)the dendrite
D)the sodium ion membrane

Question 26

The stimulus threshold of the neuron refers to the:

A)minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron.
B)3-to-1 ratio of positive-to-negative ions required for the neuron to transmit information to the next neuron.
C)positive electrical charge on the neuron's interior just prior to neuron activation.
D)minimum level of stimulation required to inhibit a neuron from firing.

Question 27

As a general rule, communication within a neuron progresses from the:

A)axon to the dendrites to the cell body.
B)dendrites to the cell body to the axon.
C)dendrites to the axon to the axon terminals and then to the cell body.
D)cell body to the axon to the nucleus.

Question 28

Compared to neurons whose axons are not wrapped in myelin, neurons whose axons are wrapped in myelin:

A)are unable to communicate with other neurons.
B)can communicate up to 50 times faster.
C)use much more energy.
D)do not have an axon.

Question 29

The primary function of the myelin sheath is to:

A)reduce the speed of neurotransmitters crossing the synaptic gap.
B)insulate the axon and increase the speed at which neurons convey their message.
C)provide support and nutrition to the dendrites.
D)inhibit the opening and closing of ion channels on the axon's membrane.

Question 30

Which statement most accurately describes the length of axons?

A)Most axons are several feet long.
B)Most axons are approximately one-tenth of an inch long.
C)The length of axons can range from a few thousandths of an inch to 3 or 4 feet.
D)The length of any particular axon changes depending upon whether muscles are stretched or clenched.

Question 31

The action potential is best defined as:

A)the amount of serotonin that can cross the axon's membrane.
B)the +3- to +7-volt capacity of a typical motor neuron.
C)the ability of a motor neuron to either contract or relax a muscle group.
D)a brief electrical impulse that transmits information along the axon of a neuron.

Question 32

A neuron may have thousands of _____, but can have only one _____.

A)dendrites; axon
B)cell bodies; dendrite
C)axons; dendrite
D)node of Ranvier; synaptic vesicle

Question 33

This drawing shows the typical structures found on a neuron. Pick the alternative that correctly labels the structures in the drawing.

A)1 = dendrites, 2 = cell body, 3 = axon, 4 = myelin sheath
B)1 = axon terminals, 2 = dendrite, 3 = vesicles, 4 = synapse
C)1 = synaptic spines, 2 = glial cell, 3 = ion channels, 4 = node of Ranvier
D)1 = synaptic vesicles, 2 = ion channel, 3 = pons, 4 = axon

Question 34

The multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell body and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells are called:

A)dendrites.
B)the nodes of Ranvier.
C)synaptic vesicles.
D)axons.

Question 35

Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells form the _____, which is/are a fatty covering that is/are wrapped around the axons of some neurons.

A)dendrites
B)astrocytes
C)myelin sheath
D)microglia

Question 36

The amount of information that a neuron can receive increases with the number of _____ that the neuron has.

A)axons
B)cell bodies
C)glial cells
D)dendrites and dendrite branches

Question 37

The cell body of a neuron:

A)provides the energy needed for the neuron to function.
B)manufactures myelin.
C)is the long, fluid-filled tube that carries the neuron's message to other body areas.
D)receives information directly from other neurons.

Question 38

The analogy used in the book referred to the axon membrane as a gatekeeper. This means that the membrane:

A)determines whether a glial cell can pass through the axon.
B)controls the balance of positive and negative ions on the interior and exterior of the axon.
C)operates in an all-or-none fashion, either opening to allow neurotransmitters to pass or not.
D)uses the nodes of Ranvier to allow some ions to move out of the axon and neurotransmitters to move into the axon.

Question 39

Information is transmitted along the axon:

A)by glial cells.
B)in the form of chemical messengers such as fructose.
C)in the form of a brief electrical impulse.
D)by chemical substances called neurotransmitters.

Question 40

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that involves:

A)the degeneration of patches of the myelin sheath that causes the transmission of neural messages to be slowed or interrupted.
B)an abnormal increase in the thickness of the myelin sheath, blocking the release of neurotransmitters.
C)the gradual decline in the ability of neurons to produce glial cells.
D)dendrites becoming brittle and breaking.

Question 41

Which of the following BEST defines a neurotransmitter?

A)a chemical messenger that crosses the synaptic gap between neurons
B)an electrical impulse that crosses the synaptic gap between neurons
C)a chemical communicator manufactured by glial cells
D)a microscopic channel through which sodium and potassium ions pass

Question 42

The all-or-none law refers to the fact that:

A)the myelin sheath either completely covers an axon or it does not.
B)the resting potential occurs only when the neuron is completely depolarized.
C)either the neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an action potential occurs or it is not sufficiently stimulated and the action potential does not occur.
D)a neurotransmitter is completely reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron or it is dissolved in the synaptic gap.

Question 43

The graph shows the changing electrical charge of a neuron when it activates. Pick the alternative that correctly labels the different phases depicted in the graph.

A)1 = action potential, 2 = stimulus threshold, 3 = refractory period, 4 = resting potential
B)1 = ions cross membrane, 2 = action potential, 3 = stimulus threshold, 4 = depolarization
C)1 = depolarization, 2 = action potential, 3 = stimulus threshold, 4 = repolarization
D)1 = resting potential, 2 = ions cross membrane, 3 = action potential, 4 = refractory period

Question 44

An action potential occurs when:

A)sodium ions enter the axon's interior, causing a brief positive electrical impulse.
B)potassium ions are electrically transformed into sodium ions.
C)polarized dendrites stimulate adjoining nodes of Ranvier.
D)potassium ions enter the dendrites and sodium ions exit the axon, causing depolarization and a brief negative electrical charge.

Question 45

The electrical charge of a neuron when it is in the resting potential state is about:

A)+30 millivolts.
B)-70 millivolts.
C)+2 volts.
D)-10 volts.

Question 46

Synaptic vesicles contain:

A)hormones.
B)ions.
C)neurotransmitters.
D)receptors.

Question 47

Which of the following is TRUE regarding action potentials?

A)Partial action potentials result in fewer neurotransmitter molecules being released than whole action potentials.
B)Action potentials operate under the "all-or-none law," which means that action potentials either move all sodium ions across the membrane or none of the sodium ions across the membrane.
C)Once an action potential is started, it is self-sustaining and continues to the end of the axon.
D)Action potentials regenerate themselves during their refractory periods when the axon membrane is depolarized.

Question 48

The most common form of communication between neurons is:

A)chemical.
B)electrical.
C)magnetic.
D)hormonal.

Question 49

What is the result of sodium ions moving across the axon's membrane during an action potential?

A)The inside of the axon changes to a negative electrical charge.
B)The outside of the axon changes to a positive electrical charge.
C)The inside of the axon changes to a positive electrical charge.
D)The nodes of Ranvier close.

Question 50

Which two factors affect the speed at which the action potential is conducted along a neuron's axon?

A)the diameter of the axon and whether the axon is wrapped with a myelin sheath
B)the number of dendrites and the size of the cell body
C)the type and number of axons projecting from the neuron
D)the size of the positive electrical charge just before an action potential occurs and the number of adjacent neurons

Question 51

What occurs during the refractory period?

A)The neuron depolarizes.
B)Neurotransmitters are released by the dendrites.
C)The charge of the neuron's interior increases to about +60 millivolts.
D)The neuron reestablishes the negative-inside/positive-outside condition.

Question 52

What keeps an action potential continuing down an axon?

A)At each successive segment of the axon, the action potential is regenerated by depolarization and the movement of ions across the axon's membrane.
B)Neurotransmitters are constantly being released to generate the action potential at each successive segment of the axon.
C)Action potentials are conducted down the axon just as electricity is conducted through a wire.
D)Ion channels open and close at the nodes of Ranvier, allowing neurotransmitters to enter into the axon and regenerate an action potential at each node.

Question 53

Presynaptic neuron is to postsynaptic neuron as:

A)synapse is to neurotransmitters.
B)receptors are to neurotransmitters.
C)electrical communication is to chemical communication.
D)message-sending neuron is to message-receiving neuron.

Question 54

How are action potentials different in a myelinated axon and an unmyelinated axon?

A)Action potentials are slower in myelinated axons because the myelin sheath interferes with the transfer of ions across the membrane.
B)Action potentials "jump" from node to node in myelinated axons rather than progressing down the entire length of the axon.
C)Action potentials have greater electrical charges in myelinated axons.
D)Action potentials in myelinated axons operate according to the "all-or-none law" but action potentials in unmyelinated axons do not.

Question 55

The action potential is produced by the:

A)movement of neurotransmitters across the ion channels.
B)opening and closing of the nodes in the myelin sheath.
C)reuptake of the neurotransmitters into the vesicles.
D)movement of ions across the membrane of the axon.

Question 56

The fastest neurons in the human body communicate their messages at:

A)the speed of light, or 186,000 miles per second.
B)speeds up to 270 miles per hour.
C)the speed of sound, or about 770 miles per hour.
D)only about 10 miles per hour.

Question 57

Which of the following represents the sequence of ion movements that causes an action potential?

A)Sodium ions move into the axon and then potassium ions move out of the axon.
B)Sodium ions move out of the axon and then potassium ions move into the dendrite.
C)Potassium ions move out of the dendrite and then sodium ions move into the axon.
D)Sodium ions move out of the axon and then potassium ions move into the axon.

Question 58

When a neuron is polarized:

A)the exterior fluid surrounding the neuron is more negatively charged than the interior of the neuron.
B)an action potential will travel down the dendrites causing the release of neurotransmitters.
C)the electrical charge across the neuron's membrane is balanced with the same charge outside as inside.
D)the interior of the neuron's axon is more negatively charged than the exterior fluid surrounding the axon.

Question 59

When a neuron is in the resting potential state:

A)it is unable to activate.
B)it has a negative electrical charge of about 7 volts.
C)the fluid within the axon has a larger concentration of potassium ions than the fluid surrounding the axon.
D)the ion channels are open.

Question 60

Communication between two neurons occurs at the:

A)nucleus.
B)node of Ranvier.
C)ion channel.
D)synapse.

Question 61

Which of the following neurotransmitters is implicated in Alzheimer's disease?

A)pepsin
B)axilla
C)acetylcholine
D)cervicis

Question 62

Neurotransmitters:

A)are chemical messengers that are secreted into the bloodstream primarily by endocrine glands.
B)are present in extremely small quantities in the brain.
C)are constantly changing their basic molecular shape as the human brain adapts to new experiences.
D)compete with sodium and potassium ions for the receptor sites on the surrounding neurons.

Question 63

All motor neurons have:

A)acetylcholine.
B)dopamine.
C)serotonin.
D)L-dopa.

Question 64

Like a key in a lock, the shape of the _____ must fit the _____ to affect the postsynaptic neuron.

A)dendrite; axon terminal
B)cell body; axon terminal
C)neurotransmitter; receptor site
D)synaptic vesicle; receptor site

Question 65

Rachel had injections of Botox in an attempt to eliminate facial wrinkles. Botox contains minute amounts of botulin, an extremely lethal substance produced by bacteria, and works by blocking the release of a specific neurotransmitter from motor neurons, causing muscle paralysis. This neurotransmitter, found in all motor neurons, is called:

A)dopamine.
B)serotonin.
C)acetylcholine.
D)GABA.

Question 66

The neurotransmitter ______ is responsible for sending excitatory messages and is related to seizures and Alzheimer's disease.

A)dopamine
B)norepinephrine
C)GABA
D)glutamate

Question 67

The neurotransmitter called acetylcholine:

A)is found in all sensory neurons.
B)is involved in muscle contractions and memory.
C)causes hallucinations when present in excessive amounts.
D)is chemically identical to heroin.

Question 68

What happens to the neurotransmitters that fail to attach to a receptor site?

A)In a process called reuptake, they are reabsorbed by the sending neuron and recycled.
B)They bind with potassium ions.
C)They are destroyed by glial cells.
D)In a process called depolarization, they are neutralized by negative ions.

Question 69

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)A given neuron can have thousands of synapses with other neurons.
B)Some neurons can manufacture three or more different types of neurotransmitters.
C)Synaptic vesicles are released into the synaptic gap, then "dock" with the adjoining neurons.
D)It only takes a few millionths of a second for neurotransmitters to cross the synaptic gap.

Question 70

Acetylcholine is:

A)found in sensory neurons but not motor neurons.
B)involved in movement and memory.
C)manufactured by glial cells.
D)dramatically decreased in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease.

Question 71

Which of the following neurotransmitters is involved in physical arousal, learning, memory, and regulation of sleep?

A)acetylcholine
B)dopamine
C)serotonin
D)norepinephrine

Question 72

Evidence suggests that the addictiveness of some drugs, including cocaine and nicotine, is related to increases in the activity of which of the following neurotransmitters?

A)dopamine
B)pepsinogen
C)acetylene
D)propene

Question 73

On average, each neuron in the brain communicates directly with _____ other neurons.

A)100
B)100 billion
C)100 trillion
D)1,000

Question 74

When neurotransmitters communicate an excitatory message to the postsynaptic neuron:

A)the postsynaptic neuron is more likely to generate an action potential.
B)the presynaptic neuron is more likely to generate an action potential.
C)the action potential is canceled out.
D)reuptake is inhibited.

Question 75

In synaptic transmission, the action potential stimulates the release of:

A)potassium ions by the glial cells.
B)neurotransmitters by the synaptic vesicles.
C)myelin by the glial cells.
D)sodium ions by the dendrites.

Question 76

For the past year, 30-year-old Kendra has experienced difficulty falling and staying asleep, and she frequently complains that she has difficulty remembering certain things, such as where she put her keys or an upcoming dentist or doctor's appointment. Kendra says she's stressed and was recently diagnosed with depression. Kendra probably has a deficiency in the neurotransmitter:

A)pectin.
B)norepinephrine.
C)pepsin.
D)glutamate.

Question 77

A particular neurotransmitter:

A)always communicates either an excitatory or inhibitory effect.
B)can have different effects, depending upon the receptor site to which it attaches.
C)can be located in the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system but not both.
D)can attach to any available receptor site on adjacent neurons.

Question 78

Kadeem has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Which of the following neurotransmitters is associated with these anxiety disorders?

A)pepsin
B)glucose
C)GABA
D)microglia

Question 79

Too little dopamine in the brain is associated with symptoms of:

A)schizophrenia.
B)Parkinson's disease.
C)anxiety.
D)Alzheimer's disease.

Question 80

When a neurotransmitter communicates an inhibitory message to a postsynaptic neuron, the _____ likely to have an action potential.

A)postsynaptic neuron is more
B)postsynaptic neuron is less
C)presynaptic neuron is more
D)presynaptic neuron is less